Punjab deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal on Wednesday approved the setting up of 11 major and 25 minor computerised integrated check posts in order to to ensure hassle-free movement of goods traffic, besides bringing transparency in revenue collection.

Punjab deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal on Wednesday approved the setting up of 11 major and 25 minor computerised integrated check posts in order to to ensure hassle-free movement of goods traffic, besides bringing transparency in revenue collection.

The deputy CM, approving the conceptual plan put up by the excise and taxation department, asked them to construct and operationalise all check posts on January 1, 2014. The 11 check posts to be computerised under the plan are Shambu-I, Shambu-E, Lalru, Banur, Khanauri, Balongi, Dehni, Madhopur, Kaller Khera, Doomanwali and Zirakpur.

Sukhbir said the state government had already approved a Rs 12,160-crore plan to link all cities with four/six lane roads, adding that it had been decided to set up automated computerised integrated check posts to reduce traffic bottlenecks caused by manual checking of goods vehicles.

The check posts would have separate parking, loading/unloading area, restrooms and refreshing rooms for drivers. The facilities to be ensured in each check post would include heavy vehicle scanners, vehicle weighing platforms, high-resolution CCTV cameras and number plate-capturing equipment. There would be six to seven bays for smooth movement of goods traffic.

Issuing instructions to integrate all these check posts with the main server of the excise and taxation department, Sukhbir said the whole exercise was aimed at bringing transparency in revenue collection, besides facilitating drivers who had to wait for hours to get their goods vehicles cleared at check posts. He said these check posts would have administrative offices and their operations could be monitored from the excise and taxation headquarters.

Prominent among those present at the meeting were DP Reddy, principal secretary, excise and taxation; Anurag Aggarwal, managing director, Punjab Infrastructure Development Board (PIDB); Anurag Verma, excise and taxation commissioner; Ajay Mahajan, special secretary to deputy CM; and representatives of various participating agencies.